Books In Bloom Set To Return To Eldredge Public Library

CHATHAM – Book-inspired bouquets will soon be back on display at the Eldredge Public Library for the fourth annual Books in Bloom fundraiser.

Organized by Friends of the Eldredge Public Library, the event is open to anyone interested in taking in the talent of members of the community. The talent will come in the form of unique floral arrangements cleverly designed to emulate a specific book.

“This is an event to welcome people into the library,” said Janet Toenniessen, a member of the Friends of Eldredge Public Library committee. “The library is a jewel of the community, it’s a gift that everyone is welcome to use.”

The arrangements will be admired by event attendees on the first and second floors of the Main Street library from 4 to 6 p.m. on June 23. Guests will be able to enjoy light refreshments as they bond over florals and novels.

This year, more people than ever before were eager to take on the creative challenge. Twenty-four arrangements, put together by 25 arrangers, will be presented.

“It’s almost double what we had last year, which is really exciting,” Toenniessen said. “The word has gotten out and a lot of people want to participate.”

Moonshell Design and Heather Rose and Co, floral businesses in Chatham, will curate bouquets that will be up for grabs at the event. A lottery at the end of the event will decide the winners of these two professional arrangements.

The other arrangements will go home with their makers, two of which will be ninth graders at Monomoy High School. Participants do not have to meet any prior requirements in order to showcase their talents.

There are also no restrictions on what books can be used; all genres and styles will be on the table. Last year, one participant honored Billie Jean King’s autobiography by adorning her bouquet with a miniature tennis racquet. Another built their arrangement on a foundation of leafy greens and bell peppers, inspired by a cookbook.

This year’s event has been in the works for a while.

“We’ve been working on this almost since the last one ended in fall,” Toenniessen said. The event has been organized by a committee of eight women dedicated to promoting the value of the library to the community.

“It’s an exciting event and we are proud of it,” said Toenniessen. “We want to encourage everyone to come and look at the gorgeous arrangements and have a nice time supporting the library.”

The $20 admission will help keep library programs sponsored by the Friends functioning, including summer reading programs, second language English courses, and the library’s computers, which are used by students who may not have access to their own.

“It’s the frosting on the cake of what we do,” Toenniessen said, referring to the library’s fundraising efforts.

While Books in Bloom gives the creative crowd of the Chatham community a moment in the sun, it will also shine a necessary light on the library’s many services.

“It allows the library to offer services beyond its financial means and helps assure the Eldredge Public Library’s continuing excellence,” Friends of Eldredge Public Library wrote in a statement. “The Friends recruit volunteers, sponsor fundraising events for special projects and provide outreach programs for the community.”